Seal lock



- June 10, 1924.

R, JONES SEAL LOCK Filed Sept. II 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 .Fune 16 1924.

Filed Sept. 11 19212 R. H. JONES SEAL LOCK 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 40071210: F/K

INSIDE FAUE [/VVEWTWF ZQqmand' 1 70 8 R. H. JQNES June 10 1924.

SEAL LOCK AR E VIII/z.

l/YVWIF Fgym/Ziney CeiVe the identifying characters.

Patented June 10, 1924.

RAYMOND H. JONES, OF MARYSVILLE, CALIFORNIA.

SEAL LOCK.

Application filed September 11, 1922. Serial No. 587,607.

T 0 all whom it may 007166771.

Be it known that I, Rnvrronn H. Jones. a citizen of the United States, residing at Marysville, in the county of Yuba, State of California, have invented a new and useful Seal Lock, of which the following is a specification in such full and clear terms as will enable those skilled in the art to construct and use the same.

This invention relates to a seal lock, and applies to and is an improvement upon my former Patents No. 1,087,020, issued February 10, 1914, No. 1,172,530, issued February 22, 1916, and No. 1,397,587, issued November 22, 1921, and its object is to provide a seal lock that is universal in its application, economical in construction, and automatic in its locking operation.

Seals are used on freight-car doors, on gas, electric and water meters, street carmoney boxes, packages containing cigars, and other high priced goods, at time of shipment, on bags of money and high grade ores. on trunks and valises, on milk cans, on crates containing pigeons and poultry, and on mail bags and foreign shipments: of various articles.

Some of these articles require the seal shackle to be a cord, and of varying length, when a seal is used thereon; on others a wire shackle or other form of shackle must be used, and to have a seal lock that is universal in its application the seal lock must be of itself of such a character that it can receive and hold securely the free ends of whatever shackle is used, that is, the seal lock must be independent of the shackle.

Vith the present invention the seal lock is especially adapted to cooperate with a shackle of cord or wire to hold them firmly sealed to whatever they may be fastened, and to the seal look butseveral kinds of shackles might be used with this lock.

The seal lock is of itself independent of the shackle in its construction, but coopcrates with the shackle to seal the package.

The present invention consists of a slide movable between the walls of a case, which slide cooperates with locking mechanism within the case and with the shackle, to seal the package.

Another feature of the invention is that the slide extends outside the case far enough to enable a tool to engage it when it is to be pulled out, and said slide will re- This slide is pulled out of the case a given amount, and

is arranged to distort the shackle to secure the lock thereto, thereby simplifying the seal. This distortion makes/an operating tool necessary, and at the same time enables a heavy spring to be used which makes the lock more secure.

The encircling shackle is attached to the I seal look through slots on each side of itsnarrow edges and these slots have a stricture to hold the cord from coming out of the seal lock while the seal lock is being slipped into the proper position on the shackle with respect to the object to be sealed.

The wire is attached to the seal look by threading it through holes in the walls of the case.

Another object of the invention is to produce a seal which will lock at the time the slide is pulled forward with a spring snap loud enough to be plainly heard, and which spring prevents the return of the slide.

A further object of the invention is to provide a seal effective against clandestine opening so cheap as to enable it to be universally used.

Another object of the invention is to provide a seal which will be so thin that it will hold the shackle in locked position in such a manner that only a very short length of the cord or wire will be engaged, precluding the possibility of cutting or break ing the shackle without it being known.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

' An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which the.

same reference numeral is applied to the same portion throughout. but I am aware that there may be modifications thereof.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a car door fastening with this seal applied thereto. V

Figure- 2 is a plan view of the complete seal,

Figure 3 is a plan view of the seal showing it in the locked position.

Figure at is a side elevation of the seal shown in Fig. 3,

Figure 5 is a plan view of the seal with the outer cover removed and showing the position of the slide and the spring'when locked.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the top of the lock casing, I

Figure 6 is an end view of the locking tool showing a portion of the seal,

part of the casing blanked and formed into shape,

' Figure 10 is a cross section of Fig. 10 at. A- A showing a side view of how the bottom is formed,

' Figure 10 is a cross section of Fig. 10 at B,B another side view of the bottom.

Figure 11 is a plan'view of the top part of -the casing blanked and formed into shape.

Figure 12 is a longitudinal section on 12 ,12; Fig. 11 I j "Figure 13 is a cross section of Fig. 11 at 13 13 showing an end view of how the top is formed.

' Figure ll is a sectional view of the bottom casing of the seal on the line 141- 1, 0,

Figure 15 is a frontend view of the case with top and bottom titted together before the flanges are crimped, and with the slide in position.

Figure 16 is an enlarged(sectional view of the-edge of the lock casing showing the manner of crimping the upper and lower casing together.

Figure 17 is an end elevation of the complete lock slightly larger than full size,

Figure 18 is a section of the complete seal lock cut in the middle lengthwise, showing spring lock and slide in position before looking, 2

Figure 19,is a view of the seal'equipped for a Wire shackle only, with the top removed, and with the slide resting in the bottom before looking showing the arrangement of the holes in the casing with the hole in the slide for bending the shackle,

Figure 20 is a similar view to Fig. 19 after the slide has been pulled to locked condition.

Figure '21 is a sectional view of the seal cquipped ffor cord only, showing the ar- 50 rangement of the bevelled longitudinal slots in the slide with the opening in the case prior to the slide being moved Figure 22 is a plan view of a portion of the casing as illustrated in Fig. 21, with the slide pulled to the locked position.

Figure 23 is an enlarged sectional view of the casing showing the cord in place in the notches therein, on the line 23 23, 21.

Figure 24 is a sectional view on the line 24 2i, Fig. 21. I

Figure "25 is a sectional view 25-25, Fig. 22,

Figure 26 is a sectional'view on the line 26-26, Fig. and locking the cord.

on the line 22, shoWing the slide engaging Figure 27 is a plan view of one type of slide intended to operate with the cord only, and having an extension to carry additional identifying characters.

Figure 28 is a plan view of another type of slide intended to operate with the wire only, and having an extension to carry additional identifying characters,

Figure 29 is a perspective view of the locking spring,

Figure 30 to 31 inclusive are diagrammatic views illustrating the operation of securing the wire shackle to the case, t

Figure 35 is a section on line 3535. Fig. 31 showing the wire shackle in place ready to be locked, I

Figure 36 is a sectional view on the line 3636, Fig. 32 showing the wire'shackle just ready to be distorted by the slide,

Figure 37 is a sectional view of the Slide. and casing on line 37-37, Fig. 31, showing the wire shackle in place ready to be locked,

F igure'38 is a sectional view on the Ill 16..-

38-38 Fig. 32 showing the wire shackle as it appears when crowded to one side of the holes of the casing during the process of. distorting it, the slide having been pulled for ward one-third of its total movement.

Figure 39 is a sectional view on the line 3939 Fig. 33, showing the wire shackle partially crimped,

Figure 40 is a sectional view on the line 10-40, Fig. 30 showing the wire shacl-:l.e-

fully crimped.

The numeral 1 represents the jarnb ot'a door, 2a door carrying the staple 3, which may be engaged with the hasp 4, a staple 5 holding the hasp in place on the amb. The

door staple is carried by a plate 6 which has a lug 7 depending therefrom, which lug has an opening to receive the shackle 8, which passes through the lug and through a hole in the bolt 9 which secures the door in place.

A pin 10 insures against losing the bolt 9 because the head 11 is slidable thereon.

The seal lock consists of a flat enclosing case made of a bottom 12, a top 13, a slide 28 and a spring 24 which together with a shackle 8 constitutes the seal.

In actual practice the lock casing consists of a piece of sheet metal, such as tin, about a" Wide, thick and 1 long, although the size is mentioned only for the purpose of indicating that the seal is intended ordinarily to be a very small and cheap article.

The bottom 12 is formed with a longitudinal depression between walls 62 and 63 (Fig. 141) forming a groove, the walls 62 and 63 merging into side flanges 52 and The bottom 12 has also a raised portion 13 (Fig. 10 a depression or recess 23, and in this depression a raised portion 61..

' Bottom- 12 is provided with two lateral notches 14; and 15 (Fig. 5) and two holes 16 and 17, although the construction may have shaped 1n any manner necessary dentificat on marks.

either the notches 14 and 15 and not the holes 16 and 17'; or lthe'holes and not the notches. i

Bottom 12 also has a tongue 58 10) on the forward end and a tongue 56 on the rear end x i The top 13 is formed with a full length raised portion between walls 64 and 65 (Fig. 13), walls 64 and 65 merging into the side flanges 54 and 53 to enclose the slide 28.

Top 13 has also two depressions 45 and 44 (Fig. 12) in its groove, and a raised portion 27. M

Top 13 is provided with two lateral notches 19 and 20 (Fig. 5 and two holes 21 and 22, although the construction may include the notches '19 and 20 and- 'n'otthe holes 21 and 22, or vice versa. 3

Tfop also has aitonguje 57 on its rear end (Fig. 11').

' The slide 28 (Fig. 27) consists of a thin narrowfstrip provided with openings 29 and 48', and with two narrow bevelled longitudinally eirt'ending slots 5.0 and ,51 cut away to'form prongs .30 and 31. The construction may contain theopening 32' and not the slots 50 and 51 together with the openings 29 and 48 as shown inFig. 28, if desired.

If both types are incorporated in the seal, the slide is leng hened far-enough to provide for room to give sufficient metal for strength. a

That portion of the slide 28 eXtending beyond the outer end of n wsman be desired to provide The spring 24 (Fig. 29) is shaped something like a' c-alked horseshoe with the legs curving in and terminating with the points and 26, which are turned upat right angles with the legs.

These above named four parts when assembled, comprise the seal lock. i

In assembling the parts of the spring 24 (Fig. 29) is placed in the recess 28(Fig. 1.4) ofthe bottom 12'wit'h the base of the spring towardsthe forward or pen end of the seal 7 proper (Fig. 18).

-Tl11S recess is as deep as the spring is thick which brings the legs and the base of the spring on the level of the fipor of the bottom casing. i i

The spring is then held from coming out again by the tongue 58 (Fig. 18) being bent back therfl v er. I

The-' spring is prevented from slipping forward. by thei shoiilder 66 10') resting against .the bas' e' of the spring, and is prevented from moving bjackward by reason of the paints-25 and '26 of the spring resting against the shoulder 67 oftherecess 23.

T e sli eTlfi 'i tha time i the groov'e o f the bottom formed'by walls 62 -14) in the posit on is illus- 19, with the points 259.1161 26 sated in. g.-

clearance between the of the spring 24 meeting without being sprung, the two corners of the opening 48 in the slide, and with these points extending through the opening 48.

The top 13 is then placed on the bottom 12 with the shoulders and 44 of the top meeting with shoulders 43 and 61 of the bottom (Fig. 18) and with the flanges 54 and 53 of the top flush with the flanges 52 and 55 of the bottom (Fig. 15).

The flanges are then crimped together as illustrated in Fig. 16, and the tongue 56 (Fig. 10) and 57 (Fig. 11) are bent as shown in Fig'. 18, closing the rear end. The openings 14 and 15 in the bottom 12 register with openings 19 and 20 respectively in the top 13 (Figs. 5 and 5*) as do the holes 16 and 17 and 21 and 22 respectively. After the parts are assembled, it .will be seen by referring to Fig. 18 that there is a slide and the inside walls of the casing at various points, and at other points the walls of the casing and the slide meet.

The space on the forward end of the seal designated as 59 is to provide a clearance to accommodate a raised identification character on the slide should it be desired toplace one there. I

The clearance in the back portion of the seal is to accommodate the shackle crimp within the walls of the casing.

The shoulders 45 and 43' together allow for just enough space for the slide'to slip between them, while forming on one side a bar rear even should an eifort be made to force or drive the sllde back into the case after it was once locked.

' The shoulders 44 and 61 together allow for just enough space for the slide to slip between their faces, while forming on one side a barrier to prevent any tool being inserted into the case to disturb the locked condition of the spring with the slide.

The tongue 58 being bent over the base of the spring and within the casing prevents any interference with that portion of the spring.

In the operation of the seal lock the slide 28 is pulled out of the case by the tool a predetermineddistance to lock it. i i

t is prevented from moving farther than the set distance by' reason of the upturned points 25 and 26 of the spring meeting the wall 68 in opening 49 of slide 28 (Figs. 19

i and 20).

vents the spring moving backwards or to theslanting walls 69 and 70 of the opening 48 in the slide. The walls of the case frictionally engage the slide at certain points and aid in making it hard to move the slide As the action of the slide on the shackle to hold the shackle firmly secured requires considerable more effort to move the slide than the power of the hand can give a tool is provided with which to accomplish the results, thereby making it possible to install an unusually heavy locking spring, which otherwisecould not be used. This gives additional security to the seal.

Lugs 39 and 40 of the lifting tool rest on the forward end of the seal (Fig. 6), with the slide 28 between the lugs, and with the pin 41 through the hole 29 in the slide. The handles 34 and 35 (Fig. 7) are then pressed together which exerts-a downward pressure on the lugs 39 and 40 resting upon the end of the seal and an upward pressure on the pin 41 which action pulls the slide 28 a cer tain distance out of the case. The handles of the tool meet regulating the proper distance the jaws shall move. A pin 36 holds the two sections of the lifting tool together, and the spring 88 holding the handles apart makes the tool always ready for use.

As the slide moves forward out of the case the upturned points of the spring 24 follow the slanting sides 69 and 70 of the hole 48 (Fig. 19) towards the points 33, and while the slide has still a very short distance to go the points 25 and 26 of the spring pass by the points 33 into the opening 49 in which opening they snap into their normal position. c

As the slide has still a short distance to move before completing its movement, walls 68 and 71 of opening 49 are spaced far enough apart so as not to interfere with the complete movement of the slide.

The slide is held in its extended position by the wall 71 of opening 49 engaging the spring points 25 and 26, which prevent a return movement of the slide.

The distance between the points 33 joining the two openings 48 and 49 allows for just a snug clearance for the two upturned points 25, 26 of the spring to pass through, which requires a considerable pressure up on the slide to force the slide by that point, and as the spring points 25 and 26 meet side by side when pinched together, should an attempt to made to pick or tamper with the lock, that barrier will have to be overcome, which will be found to be almost an impossibility.

The slide is made to look a little prior to its completed movement toremove all doubt as to its locking, and while this gives a lit- ,tle back play to the slide it isnot enough to affect the secured positions of the shackle withthe slide, as that contingency is met in-the arrangementof securing the shackle.

An identification character may be placed upon the slide 28 between the opening 29 in the slide and that portion of the slide that rests within the case as designated as space 59 (Fig. 18) to show by its position outside the casing that the strip has moved to locked condition. while the position of the opening 29 at the end of the case can be used to determine the same result.

The above methods can be used by those examining the seal after it has been locked,

but to the one applying the seal the snap of the spring rebounding into its locked position can be plainly heard. v

The locking arrangement has been placed in the forward part of the seal ahead of where the shackle is secured to providefor strength of material in the slide to stand immune against any effort to force the slide back into the casing after it has been locked.

This feature makes it possible to make-the and 47 of the bottom, top and slide res pe tively make one opening on the opposite edge of the case.

The size of these openings at the bottom are the same as the diameter of the cord, which allows the cord to slide back and forth in the hole prior to the seal being locked to bring the cord up tightlyon a bag or other object to be sealed.

The cord is forced into these openings from the outside edges through a slight stricture which holds the cord from coming out again.

Figs. 2324 show the cord in position with the case prior to locking. it

As the slide moves forward to its locked position the prongs 30 and 31 (more clear ly shown in Fig. 27) of the slide gradually close up these openings (Fig. 22) and the cord is forced into the bevellel slots 50 and 51, which pinching or binding operation secures the cord in that position. Fig. 26 illustrates the manner in which the cord is acted upon as the slide has assumed the locked position.

The position of the bevelled slots in the slide with the opening in the case when in the locked condition of the slide leave such a narrow opening that should the cord shackle be cut off close to'the case for the purpose of tampering with the seal, it cannot be threaded through this hole. or made to appear intact when it is not.

Going through the narrow part of the case (Fig. 4) as it does the-cord shackle where it is held by the slide is not hid -c showing holes holes and longer a continuous will force the two ends Of tllQ cord. into the slots.

The straight portion of the slots in the .slide is'flush with'the lower edge jof the opening in the case to prevent the cord shackle from being cutasf theslide moves forward to locked position.

When the seal: lock is equipped for using a wire shackle the case has four small holes that register in pairs (see Fig. 35 16 and 17 in the bottom part {of the casingwhich are counterparts ,Qfthe holes in the top art of. the casing) and the slide 28 has a round hole 32 in register with holes in the case' fThe holes in the casing are larger than the wire shackle that threads .throughfithese holes for reasons that will be explained I later.

The hole in the slide registers with both the holes in the casing as shown in Fig. 19

to allow both wire ends to pass therethrough.

' Referring to Figs. 31. 35 and 37, it will be' seen that when the wire shackle is threaded throijigh the case, because 'of the spring of the wire and because of the fact that it may be passed around some object,

the outside edges rof'thefholes in the casing;

it assumes a position on As the slide 28 moves to locked condition moves to the inside edge ,of the towards the centerof; thehole 32 in the slide, see Figs. 36 and 38,,or in the shackle .other words the first third ofithe movement of the slide the shackle does. not move lengthwise of the case but towards thecen- *ter of the hole in the slide.

As the slide moves still sented by Fig. 39,

as shown in Fig. 20, that is,'there is no hole through the cas mg; which prevents any manipulation of the shackle to create an impression that the shackle is fastened securely when it is not. To hold the wire shackle securely it must be crimped as shown, vet when the slide has moved to locked condition the solid partof the slide must block an entrance through the case.

To make this combination possible, and not shear the shackle off instead of bending it, the holes in the case are made a little sawe m e ng my s f, oneyesp'eciall advantageo'f the sjealffliesin further forward the shackle has assumed the position repreand when the final {lockingposition is attained" the shackle has taken the benda's represented. in Fig. 40,

and the position of the hole with respect to the holes in the casing are 32. in the slide ward, adjusting itself gradually to the and for this reason the holes n the case meet-the hole in the slide as repbending strain,

resent-ed Fi g 19, little]f0rwardj of the center and at "the extreine -,edge 'd the slide cssi i A ftei-., the slide hasmoved to locked condition and' the shackle jis ,bent in the" .U shaped forma asfsliown. in,;Fig.,.40, it will be noticed that ctheQspaeQi o the casei occu iel'; the shackle i'sf'ifo f .the nec sariy 'ivid'th to accommodate {the shackle with a close fit, and {the 'shacklegbeing heldv on the, two outside surfaces by the the wires are intact,

of the wire ,the same wire canfbe seenlto move on the opposite side of the casing Whether us ng a cord to secu re' tlie article to be sealed, orusingaflire, thewire jor cord is placed 'in thei mannerdesired to properly secure-anything andeverything on .which sealsare used, and then thisseal lock is used to seciirel flieltl 'ol the aforesaid shackle. ,The material of the lock i h avy enoug jstjan cqx d rab strains and the slidehiis. thickfeno'ugh io prevent it from shearing off. the; shackle.

term ,shacklel appli ed hereinitojthe wire ,or cord also includes-a inextfensible wire, cord, cable cloth orj netal tape used ca- 1E ee rta1 e the use; of a shackle of lany desire d length. a What clai a fe ows-t .ivafirl l' modifications may be made in the construc- 'tion shown in theidrawingsand above "particularly described form, within "t lief purview of. my invent on: 1. In a seal the combination of, a casing,

aslide projecting therefrom, means toflock the slide in an extendedposi'tion when it is pulled out of casing a short distance and means on the slide to secure both ends of a sealing shackle thereto.

In th Tceim ina f a e$ ns; a slide projecting therefrom, means'tolock the slide extended when it is pulled out of the casing a short distance, and means on the slide to distort a shackle to secure it around a given object.

3. In a seal the combination of a casing. a slide projecting therefrom, a spring withf m 119t .6 .s

thin. g-the walls walls ,of; the casep and, on the 1 inside oft ie bend the slide,fthere is (no chanceto work .the ,wea' ve, out of the wi -re and release f it "for by rnoving one end in the casing to lock the slide extended when it is pulled a short distance out of the casing, and means on the slide to secure two ends of a sealing shackle thereto, with the shackle visible on both sides of the casmg.

4-- In a seal the combination of a casing, a slide projecting therefrom, a spring to lock the slide extended when it is pulled a short distance out of the casing, and means on the slide to distort both ends of a sealing shackle against saidcasing when the shackle is passed around an object.

I 5. In a seal the combination of a flat casing, a flat slide projecting therefrom. a spring within the casing to engage the slide and secure it in a given position when pulled out of the casing further than when in its normal position, and means on the slide co-operating with openings in the easing to distort both ends of a sealing shackle against said casing when pressed against the same by the slide.

6. In a seal the combination of a casing,

1 a slide projecting from the casing, means to lock the slide in an extended position when it is pulled a short distance out of the casing and means on the slide co-operating with the casing to secure both ends of a sealing shackle to the seal.

7. In a seal the combination of a casing, a slide projecting from said casing, the easing having openings therethrough to permit the free movement therein of the ends I of a sealing shackle, means on the slide to engage said shackle to secure the latter permanently to the seal, and .a spring for locking the slide extended.

8. In a seal the combination of a casing, a slide projecting from the casing having slots at its edges which register with oppositely placed slots in the casing, prongs on the slide positioned to pass through the slots in the casing when the'slide is pulled a short distance out of the casing to secure a shackle thereto, and a spring projecting through a hole in the slide to hold it extended. 1

9. In a seal the combination of a casing, a slide projecting therefrom having openings therein to receive a shackle, and a spring Within the casing having two arms passing through the slide to lock said slide extended.

10. In a seal the combination of a casing, a slide projecting therefrom, means thereon to secure both ends of a shackle to the slide and casing, and means to thereupon lock the slide extended.

11. In a seal the combination of a casing, a slide projecting therefrom, means on the slide to indent a shackle to secure it to the casing, and means cooperating with the slide to lock it extended.

12. In a seal the combination of a casing, a slide projecting therefrom, means to lock the slide when it is pulled out of the casing a short distance, the slide and casing having openings to receive a shackle to be secured thereto.

18. In a seal the combination of a casing having openings therein, a slide having openings registering with the openings in the casing, a shackle adapted to be passed through said openings, and means to lock the slide extended, the slide openings being pulled out of register with the casing openings to distort the shackle and secure it thereto.

14. In a seal the combination of a casing having openings, a slide with openings in register with the casing openings, a shackle adapted to pass through the holes when the slide is unlocked and means to lock the slide extended, the openings in the slide and casing being pulled out of register to distort the shackle to secure the shackle and casing together.

15. In a seal, the combination of a casing,

a slide therein and projecting therefrom,

the casing and slide having openings in register when the slide is unlocked, and means to lock the slide when the openings therein have been moved out of register with the casing openings. I

16. In a seal the combination of a casing,

a slide carried thereby, the casing and slide having openings normally in register, a shackle passing through said openings, and means to permanently look the slide in a different position when it has been moved to distort the shackle.

17. In a seal the combination of a casing, a slide carried thereby, the casing and slide having open slots normally in register, a shackle passing through said slots, and means carried by the casing to permanently lock the slide in a different position when it has been moved to distort the shackle.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 22nd day of Aug, A. D. 1922.

RAYMOND H. JONES. 

